Discussion

Help for 4 days in Charleston

I'll be coming from Boston the first full weekend of June, visited many years ago and have wanted to go back for a while. I'm on my own (unless a friend happens to come up from FL) so I need places with good bar seating. I've read a lot of helpful posts and certainly won't be at a lost for higher end. Anson, Cru, Cypress/Magnolia's/Blossom, FIG, Grocery, Halls Chophouse, Hank's, Hominy Grill, Husk, The Ordinary, MacIntosh, McCrady's, Peninsula Grill, Rutledge Cab Co, Snob, Tristan. All of these sounds good but are some more comfortable/easy to grab a seat than others for a gal on her own? Don't want a menu where most entrees are >$30 (but I'll probably be eating apps).

Also looking for the funky places, the equivalent of Clover Grill in New Orleans or Corner Bistro in NY. Good burgers, grilled hot dogs, fried chicken, stuff like that. I've got Glazed Donuts on my list but if there are mom & pop shops around, let me know. Should I try the coca cola cake at Jestine's?

In addition, where are the rock bars/dives? Is there a club with live (rock) music? Staying on Spring St. and will not have a car. Thanks for your help and if anyone wants to split some of this fattening food with me, let me know.

I am from the NE originally and I can say that Charleston is kind of the opposite of "dive bar". I'll be paying close attention to see if you get any suggestions. The closest thing I've come across in the HD is The Blind Tiger. Oh, and they have great burgers too.

That said, I recommend you hit up the bar at Husk and we have always enjoyed oysters and various things that swim at Pearlz Oyster Bar. SNOB has a good bar scene too. I love Cru and although it doesn't have a "real" booze bar, it has a counter-like bar that serves as a chef's table. You can dine there and watch the back-of-the-house action.

If you can find your way to the mom & pop corner grocery store Burbages(157 Broad St.), I recommend it. It's kind of a glimpse back in time. They have quality house-made pimento cheese, great deli sandwiches or a pulled pork sandwich and a Cheerwine then head over that way.

We've been to Charleston a couple of times recently. Always a great time. For late night when Mrs CHM runs out of energy and curls up with a book, I head to Blind Tiger. Always a good band and relaxed atmosphere within walking distance of our hotel.

Anson, Cypress and Tristan all have very nice bars. So does High Cotton. Walk along Upper King Street. There are lots of fun bars there, but you'll see lots of college students. The bar at Husk is interesting as well.

Will you have a car? If so, the Voodoo Lounge West Ashley is fun. You could also go to Poe's on Sullivan's for a burger.

If you haven't ever had Coca Cola cake, you should certainly try it. The fried chicken at Jestine's is good too.

Just came back from Charleston on Monday (stayed 4 days and 3 nights). What a great town!!!!! Did most of the touristy things ; the market , the slave museum, Fort Sumter Monument, the Edmonston- Alston House, etc. Enough about that now for the resturants. Had dinner at 39 Rue de Jean, had the escargot very tiny and HARD but the sauce was great, the onion soup was delicious but loaded with too much bread and the filet of sole meuniere was very good , the atmosphere and service was terrific. The next night we had dinner at Hanks (at 9 p.m. was still packed) the mussels in white sauce was the best I ever had, had a salad with grilled shrimp which was very good and oyster stew which was $14 and was well worth the price; it was loaded with oysters and had a terrific broth. The next night we went to McCradys the quality was very good but the portions left a lot to be desired(rediciously small- a joke) and NOT worth $65 price fix . The thing that turned me off the most was the staff that took the reservation days in advance and said there was a 5:30 AND a 9:15 opened. Reclucently took the 9:15. The day of the reservation we happened to be in the vicinity at 5;00 to see where the restaurant was located and stopped in to see if they had a bar and asked if possibly there was a cancellation; the hostess said there was not she could either take us now or 8;45. we chose the 8:45. When we arrived at our appointed time the main room was half empty and the hostess took us to a back room which had 3 tables occupied I asked if we could sit in the main dining room she said no and walked away. All in all the front staff needs better training and the food leaves a lot to be desired; STAY AWAY!!!. 2 other places that I would like to mention are East Bay Meeting House(on East Bay Stree) for a drink (it's a bar and coffee house) great atmosphere, great drinks and friendly service. Also for lunch we went to CO (a noodle bar- on King Street) it had to be the best noodle soup that I ever had the broth had a roasted chicken flavor the portion and the $9 price was the best all around. Living in New York and frequently going to Momofuku (noodle bar). CO has them beat by a long shot. If I had stayed in Charleston longer I would definitely eaten there everyday.

I respectfully disagree - McCrady's was phenomenal in every regard. I went as a young, casually dressed solo diner and was treated like a king. I can't comment on the 4-course option since I had the tasting menu, but I left feeling extremely satiated. I also received a complete tour of the restaurant courtesy of my server.

I also had dinner at Co on a separate occasion. The noodles were good, but nowhere near the level of an actual noodle house. The pork buns were just OK. An average pan-Asian restaurant, but saying they're vastly superior to Momofuku must be a joke.

I RESPECT YOUR opinion of McCrady's but my dining experience was not as phenomenal as yours (for the price we paid I wish is was). I believe those writing a review of a restaurant should be able to comment whether their experience was GOOD or BAD and just taken in that way.Example: I can go to some of my favorite restaurants a dozen times with no complaints and the time I recommend it to a friend or take someone there it can be a total bomb; but that's just the way it turns out sometimes. Thanks.

Thanks for the various comments. I just read the 30th birthday thread which helps with thoughts too except I won't be eating full dinners. Keeping in mind that I'm just one gal who can't eat *that* much (and doesn't drink so much in general), I'm trying to figure out the best plan of attack. I know everyone loves FIG but its menu doesn't grab me the way a lot of the others do. $5 oyster slider at the Ordinary and crispy shortbreads from The Grocery are on the list and I have to have a souffle at Cypress one nite (those 3 restaurants on E. Bay sound great to me). I'd like to go during happy hour for a nice cocktail and good bar bite at places that make sense (SNOB, Pearlz, Macintosh?) then back out later for round two when it's hopefully easy to grab a seat at the bar. Lunch will usually be picking up random things while walking around altho the duck club sandwich at Tattooed Moose sounds great or something at Jestine's. And Poogan's Porch came recommended. I might have one real breakfast during the 4 days.

I'm also still looking for the rock bar/club. Anything? Probably further out that I'd need a car for?

Whatever, I'll figure it out but if you thought to yourself "I know exactly how this girl thinks" and had a plan, that would be great. Thx.